3 Electrical Troubleshooting Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

July 12, 2017

In most cases, a professional should handle electrical issues for the sake of your safety as well as for the system’s well-being. At the same time, if you understand some troubleshooting essentials, you might be able to identify emergency situations right away. Being able to diagnose problems on your own can make the repairs go faster once the electrician arrives. You might even save yourself the need to call at all if the issue ends up being simple enough to solve.

SOMETIMES AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET RESET DOES THE TRICK

GFCI outlets are a measure intended to keep you safe from electrocution. They do this by cutting power in areas near moist conditions, like bathrooms and kitchens. Sometimes a GFCI handles more than one outlet, meaning you might need to seek out the outlet with the ‘reset’ button to correct the problem. But don’t try to reset if there is an unsafe exposure to water present! GFCIs will sometimes trip mistakenly, but if the outlet doesn’t allow for a reset, you might have a serious problem on the circuit. You should call for professional help if this happens, or if you notice blackening around the outlets.

TRIPPED BREAKERS MAY ONLY REQUIRE APPLIANCE REARRANGING

If lights and outlets in a specific area of your home aren’t working, the culprit may be a tripped circuit. If you’re able to reset the breaker (by turning the switch to ‘off’ and then all the way over to ‘on’), that might be all there is to it. On the other hand, if the breaker won’t reset, there is likely an issue present. Some appliances have power demands that exceed what the circuit can handle. Switch these devices to a different circuit, and you might be able to reset the breaker. If not, there’s a problem only an expert can address.

WHEN IN DOUBT, GET PRO ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

If you’re unable to pinpoint the problem, don’t make any assumptions! Electrical work can be very complicated and dangerous. Beyond the safety risks involved, attempting repairs yourself when you’re in doubt can also compromise your system and make its condition worse.

At Certified Electric, we have fully trained technicians on staff who will work to get your system running properly again as soon as possible. We understand the importance of quality and speed, which is why we strive to deliver both to our customers. For more electrical troubleshooting tips, or to learn how we can help you with your power issues, get in touch with our team of experts today.

On July 6th, one of the hottest days we've had in 2017, our AC quit working. CE had been out to check our unit 2 weeks earlier and everything was fine. We called them late in the afternoon and although extremely busy, they sent a repair unit out after 5:30. The 2 young men were very cordial and quickly found the problem, repaired it and charged an extremely reasonable fee, just parts and minimal labor. This is just an example of the great service we always receive! We will continue to be loyal customers and hope others will see this review and give them their AC business!